Wimbledon, England ? Two-time champion Serena Williams lost at Wimbledon one round shy of another showdown with sister Venus.

Still rusty following a layoff and slowed by an ankle injury, Serena was defeated Saturday by fellow American Jill Craybas, 6-3, 7-6 (4).

Williams departed hours after her older sister advanced to the fourth round by beating Daniela Hantuchova, 7-5, 6-3. Venus next will play Craybas, who arrived at Wimbledon with a career record of 7-23 in Grand Slam tournaments.

It was Williams’ earliest elimination at a major event since the 1999 French Open.

“I’ve never been one to lose well,” said Williams, who fought back tears and dabbed at her eyes during a postmatch news conference. “I’m just used to winning these kind of matches. It’s hard for me to go out there and you can’t make a shot and you’ve been making them for years.”

Williams made a late decision to play at Wimbledon following a six-week layoff because of a left ankle injury. Earlier this week she said for the first time that her ankle slightly was broken, but she declined to blame the injury for the loss to Craybas.

“I think I was better off staying at home,” Williams said. “I shouldn’t have lost this match. She didn’t have to do anything exceptionally well. She just had to show up.”

On a chilly, cloudy afternoon, other women’s winners included Lindsay Davenport, Kim Clijsters and Maria Sharapova. None lost a set.

Two-time defending champion Roger Federer and 2004 runner-up Andy Roddick advanced in men’s play. No. 1 rated Federer beat Nicolas Kiefer, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-1, 7-5.

Federer next will play 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, who eliminated 2004 Wimbledon quarterfinalist Florian Mayer, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-1. Second-seeded Roddick, who lost to Federer in last year’s final, held every service game and beat Igor Andreev, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4).